PDA: A PSA

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As the air gets tainted by the fresh scent of spring, and love bubbles start becoming dangerous projectiles, we see an increasing number of people who become doe-eyed and engaged in an interlocking embrace with their boyfriend/girlfriend. Most of those people are probably too involved in it to see how much disgust and contempt people direct toward them (or maybe I’m the only one that does it). Many people have differing opinions on these displays of affection:

The Spectator: “Awww, that’s so cute/romantic/adorable! Stay away from my locker.” -People that are fine with it as long as it doesn’t disrupt their daily routine. They don’t care if they see the couples or not, so long as the spectators don’t have to muscle their way through to get to their locker. Sophomore Erika Durazzo remarks, “PDA is fine, but don’t make it too public.” Senior Jeffrey Cui takes a different stance: “I don’t care because it doesn’t bother me.”

The Nonchalant: “I don’t care. It’s a free country.” -People who believe that couples have the free right to do what they wish because they are concerned about their own lives, rather than those of others. Senior Jin Park shrugs and states, “Let them do what they want; they have their rights.” Sophomore Jonathan Liu says, “I don’t care; there’s nothing wrong with it.”

The Supporters: “People are allowed to do it; it’s really romantic.” These are people that support these public displays of affection because it’s romantic or between friends. Junior Garrison Wong states, “I support it as long as it is with people that you know or are in a relationship with.” Freshman K.J. comments, “It’s not bad, it’s romantic.”

The Scorner: “If you can never do that again, that would be great.” -Singles, loners, people who have a reason to hate couples. Freshman Donavan Roudabush proclaims, “There is a time and a place for PDA and school isn’t one of them.”

However, the real question regarding PDA is why people do it, even though it makes other people uncomfortable. Junior Rak Malla answers, “It is extremely enjoyable if you’re the one getting it.” Junior C.S. comments, “It shows passion.”

As romantic as it may seem to those engaged in PDA, there is a limit to which it must occur. No one wants to see couples slobbering all over each other or intertwined into complex pretzels at every opportunity. Here are some suggestions to consider if you are truly adamant about publicly showing your affection.

Do not inconvenience others by preventing them from reaching their locker, classroom, etc.
If you don’t like people leaning on your locker, I doubt that anyone else will actually want you to do the same. If you must stay near your locker, be prudent and don’t stand in front of someone else’s locker or room. As senior Rucha Kulkarni says, “[Couples] should keep it to themselves.”

At least attempt to move to the side.
Same concept as before, but this time in the hallways. No one really needs to see you kissing your partner right in full view of the bathroom, the hall, the entrances, and five rooms. Just move out of the way to a place that you won’t be obstructing anyone and no one will disturb you without reason. Junior Sahil Hingorani proclaims, “For big things, couples should do it in private. For small things it’s fine. People don’t want to see that. It’s just weird.”

Limit affections to small things.A peck on the cheek. Holding hands. A hug. Small things that are quick and won’t make anyone nearby feel like a third wheel. What people don’t want is to see is people in all-in, tongues out, almost-third-base kisses. Or jumping on each other (believe me, I’ve seen it before). Senior R.B. agrees, “[PDA] is fine as long as people don’t go overboard.”